Method of managing radio resources and node B apparatus implementing the same

ABSTRACT

A method of managing radio resources and a Node B implementing the same are provided. If the total radio resources used in a cell exceed target radio resources signaled by an RNC, uplink rates are equally allocated to primary UEs and non-primary UEs by controlling the signal strengths of the primary and non-primary UEs.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/630,510, filed Dec. 3, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,953,430, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application bearing Ser. No. 11/393,844 filedat the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 31, 2006 now U.S. Pat.No. 7,643,844, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of aKorean Patent Application filed in the Korean Industrial Property Officeon Mar. 31, 2005 and assigned Serial No. 2005-27395, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a mobile communication systemfor transmitting packet data on an uplink. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a method, in a Node B, of controllinguplink rates between primary User Equipments (UEs) for which a Node Bmanaged cell is a serving Enhanced uplink Dedicated Channel (E-DCH) celland non-primary UEs for which a different cell is a serving E-DCH cell.

2. Description of the Related Art

Asynchronous Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA)communication systems use the E-DCH. The E-DCH was designed to improvethe performance of packet transmission by introducing new techniques touplink communications in the WCDMA communication systems.

The new techniques are those adapted for High Speed Downlink PacketAccess (HSDPA), Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC), Hybrid AutomaticRepeat Request (HARQ), and Node B-controlled scheduling.

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic principle of E-DCH transmission.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a Node B supportingE-DCH transmission and reference numerals 101 to 104 denote UEs thattransmit E-DCHs. The Node B 100 evaluates the channel statuses andbuffer occupancies of the UEs 101 to 104 and transmits scheduling grantsto them based on the evaluation. The UEs 101 to 104 then determine theirmaximum allowed rates according to the scheduling grants and transmitdata at or below the maximum allowed rates.

Since orthogonality is not kept among uplink signals from a plurality ofUEs, the uplink signals interfere with one another. As more uplinksignals are transmitted, interference with an uplink signal from aparticular UE increases. The increase in interference with an uplinksignal decreases the reception performance of the Node B. This problemcan be solved by increasing the uplink transmit power of the UE.However, the increased transmit power interferes with other uplinksignals which decreases the reception performance. Accordingly, thereceived power level of an uplink signal is limited to ensure receptionperformance. This can be explained with Rise over Thermal (RoT) definedasRoT=I _(o) /N _(O)  (1)where I_(o) denotes the received total wideband power spectral densityat the Node B, such as the total quantity of uplink signals received inthe Node B, and N_(o) denotes the thermal power spectral density at theNode B. Therefore, a maximum allowed RoT represents radio resourcesavailable to the Node B for the E-DCH packet data service on the uplink.For example, a maximum allowed RoT represents radio resources such as aReceived Total Wideband Power (RTWP) available to the Node B, for theE-DCH packet data service on the uplink.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for a typical E-DCHtransmission and reception procedure.

Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 202 denotes a UE that receivesthe E-DCH and reference numeral 201 denotes a serving Node B 201 for theUE 202.

In step 203, the E-DCH is established between the Node B 201 and the UE202 by exchanging messages on dedicated transport channels. After theE-DCH setup, the UE 202 transmits scheduling information to the Node B201 in step 204. The scheduling information includes the uplink transmitpower or transmit power margin of the UE 202 from which uplink channelinformation can be derived, or the amount of transmission data bufferedin the UE 202.

Upon receipt of scheduling information from a plurality of UEs, the NodeB 202 performs Node B-controlled scheduling for the UEs based on thescheduling information in step 211.

When the Node B 201 decides to grant uplink packet transmission to theUE 202, the Node B 201 transmits scheduling assignment information tothe UE 202 in step 205. In step 212, the UE 202 determines the TransportFormat (TF) of the E-DCH based on the scheduling assignment information.In steps 206 and 207, the UE 202 transmits the TF information and theE-DCH to the Node B 201.

The Node B 201 checks errors in the TF information and the E-DCH in step213. The Node B 201 transmits a Negative Acknowledgement (NACK) to theUE 202 on an Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) channelin step 208 if errors exist in either the Transport Format Combination(TFC) information or the E-DCH. If there are no errors in both the TFCinformation and the E-DCH, the Node B 201 transmits an ACK to the UE 202on the ACK/NACK channel in step 208.

In the latter case, the UE 202 can transmit new information on the E-DCHsince the E-DCH transmission is completed in step 207. In the formercase, the UE 202 retransmits the same information on the E-DCH during anext Transmission Time Interval (TTI).

Node B-controlled scheduling is divided into two schemes: “ratescheduling” and “time and rate scheduling”. The rate schedulingincreases or decreases a data rate for a UE, while the time and ratescheduling controls a transmission/reception timing as well as a datarate for a UE.

In the, rate scheduling scheme, the Node B increases, keeps, ordecreases the data rates of all UEs requesting the E-DCH service by apredetermined level in every scheduling interval. In a system where a UEmay have a TF set allowing the data rates of 16, 32, 128, 256, 384, and568 kbps and the Node B allocates a data rate to the UE by indicating aone-level increase, keep, or decrease, if a current maximum allowed rateis 16 kbps and the Node B commands a rate increase during the nextscheduling period, the one-level higher data rate from 16 kbps (32 kbps)becomes the maximum allowed data rate.

Since the rate scheduling scheme handles scheduling for many UEs,signaling overhead will be created if the amount of signaled informationis very large. Therefore, the rate scheduling scheme uses a RelativeGrant (RG) as scheduling information. The Node B sends signals of +1, 0,or −1 to the UE and the UE increases, keeps, or decreases its data rateby a predetermined level according to the received value.

Despite the benefit of less information and thus decreased signalingoverhead on the downlink, the rate scheduling scheme takes a long timeto rapidly increase data rate. Since the RG occupies one bit, RGs aresignaled to UEs on a time-multiplexed common channel at UE-specifictransmission timings or using UE-specific orthogonal codes.

The time and rate scheduling scheme additionally controls the E-DCHtransmission timings of UEs. The time and rate scheduling schemeschedules part of many UEs and allows for a rapid rate increase ordecrease. For this purpose, scheduling information is delivered by anAbsolute Grant (AG). The AG carries a maximum rate to a UE and the UEsets its maximum allowed rate to the AG.

For example, if the UE now has a maximum allowed rate of 16 kbps and alarge amount of data to be transmitted from the UE exists, the Node Bcan allocate 568 kbps to the UE in the next scheduling period so thatthe UE can transmit at up to 568 kbps. The Node B must have knowledge ofa maximum available rate for the UE and the maximum available rate isdetermined by a TF set allocated to the UE. This is called a “Node Bpointer”.

The time and rate scheduling requires a large amount of information toindicate an absolute rate. Therefore, when a dedicated channel is usedfor each UE, the transmit power of the downlink becomes high. In thiscontext, the AG is delivered on a common channel such as a High SpeedShared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) in HSDPA and with a UE-identifier(UE-id) to indicate the UE for which the AG is destined.

The channel carrying the AG is called an Enhanced Shared Control Channel(E-SCCH). The uplink packet transmission system can reduce signalingoverhead by fulfilling the delay requirements of UEs by supporting boththe rate scheduling scheme and the time and rate scheduling scheme andthus using their advantages.

Now a description will be made of AG transmission on an Enhanced uplinkAbsolute Grant Channel (E-AGCH).

The E-AGCH is a common channel that carries an AG because every UEwithin a cell does not need to receive an AG during every TTI. A UE-idis allocated to the E-AGCH to identify a UE to be signaled. If the UEpasses a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) using the UE-id, the UE transmitsthe E-DCH based on information received on the E-AGCH.

A description will be made of scheduling for Soft Handover (SHO) in asystem supporting both the AG and RG.

An AG delivers a large amount of information with high power. The AG isdecoded in a more complex way than the E-AGCH. Therefore, it ispreferable that the UE receives an AG from one Node B. This one Node Bis called a “primary Node B”. The UE selects a Node B that has the bestdownlink as a primary Node B. That is, the SHO UE receives an AG fromthe primary Node B and RGs from non-primary Node Bs other than theprimary Node B.

Since a non-primary Node B is not authorized to schedule the UE, it doesnot transmit an RG indicating “up/down/keep” to the UE all the time.Instead, the non-primary Node B indicates a rate decrease if the ratioof RoTs from the other UEs in the SHO region is high. Otherwise, thenon-primary Node B does not transmit signals so that the UE can operatebased on the scheduling of the primary Node B. The indication is calledan “overload indicator”. The overload indicator can be signaled to everyUE on a dedicated channel, or on a common channel, considering downlinksignaling overload.

FIG. 3 illustrates the uplink RoT of a cell in a typical SHO.

Referring to FIG. 3, the uplink RoT of a cell is the sum of an RoT 310from noise always existent on a channel, an RoT 320 from legacy channelsincluding DCHs and control channels, and RoTs 330, 340 and 350 fromE-DCHs. Reference numeral 330 denotes an RoT from an E-DCH that can betransmitted without Node B-controlled scheduling, called “non-scheduledE-DCH”. Reference numerals 340 and 350 denote RoTs from E-DCHs requiringNode B-controlled scheduling, called “scheduled E-DCHs”. For example,the RoT 340 is from the E-DCHs transmitted by UEs for which the cell isa serving E-DCH cell, such as primary UEs. The RoT 350 is from theE-DCHs transmitted by UEs for a cell other than this cell which is aserving E-DCH, such as non-primary UEs. A serving E-DCH cell is definedas a cell that can transmit an AG to a UE. A cell is a serving E-DCH forits primary UEs and a non-serving cell for its non-primary UEs.

While not shown, the Node B sets a target RoT and performs schedulingsuch that a total RoT does not exceed the target RoT. Since the Node Bcannot be directly involved in scheduling in relation to the RoTs 310,320 and 330, the RoTs 310, 320 and 330 are not controllable by the NodeB. A Node B scheduler of the Node B can manage the total RoT of the cellby controlling the RoTs 340 and 350. The RoT 340 from the primary UEscan be controlled by an AG or RG, and the RoT 350 from the non-primaryUEs can be controlled by an overload indicator.

In the conventional SHO situation, it is not clear when a non-primaryNode B has to transmit an overload indicator.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and method fortransmitting an overload indicator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is toaddress at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provideat least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect ofexemplary embodiments of the present invention provides a method andapparatus for equally allocating uplink rates to primary UEs andnon-primary UEs by controlling the signal strengths of the primary andnon-primary UEs when total radio resources used in a cell exceed targetradio resources signaled by a Radio Network Controller (RNC).

According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a method is provided in which radio resources are managedbetween a serving uplink channel from a first UE for which a Node B is aserving Node B and a non-serving uplink channel from a second UE forwhich the Node B is a non-serving Node B in a mobile communicationsystem for transmitting packet data on an enhanced uplink. In thismethod, the Node B receives a target total power level from an RNC forthe serving uplink channel and the non-serving uplink channel. The NodeB also receives a target power ratio of the non-serving uplink channelagainst the target total power level. The Node B compares the targettotal power level with a current total power level of the serving uplinkchannel and the non-serving uplink channel. If the current total powerlevel is higher than the target total power level, the Node B comparesthe target power ratio of the non-serving uplink channel with a currentpower ratio of the non-serving uplink channel against the current totalpower level. If the current power ratio of the non-serving uplinkchannel is higher than the target power ratio of the non-serving uplinkchannel, the Node B commands a rate decrease to the second UE.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a method is provided in which radio resources are managedbetween a serving uplink channel from a first UE for which a Node B is aserving Node B and a non-serving uplink channel from a second UE forwhich the Node B is a non-serving Node B in a mobile communicationsystem for transmitting packet data on an enhanced uplink. In thismethod, an RNC sets a target total power level for the serving uplinkchannel and the non-serving uplink channel, and a target power ratio forthe non-serving uplink channel to the target total power level by theRNC. The RNC signals the target total power ratio and the target powerratio of the non-serving uplink channel to the Node B, for use incontrolling a data rate of the non-serving uplink channel for the secondUE.

According to a further aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a Node B apparatus is provided for managing radio resourcesbetween a serving uplink channel from a first UE for which a Node B is aserving Node B and a non-serving uplink channel from a second UE forwhich the Node B is a non-serving Node B in a mobile communicationsystem for transmitting packet data on an enhanced uplink. In the Node Bapparatus, a receiver receives from an RNC a target total power levelfor the serving uplink channel and the non-serving uplink channel and atarget power ratio of the non-serving uplink channel against the targettotal power level. A decider measures a current power level of theserving uplink channel and a current power level of the non-servinguplink channel. A comparator compares the target total power level witha current total power level of the serving uplink channel and thenon-serving uplink channel. The comparator also compares the targetpower ratio of the non-serving uplink channel with a current power ratioof the non-serving uplink channel against the current total power level,and determines whether to command a rate decrease to the second UE. Arate decrease will be commanded to the second UE if the current totalpower level is higher than the target total power level and the currentpower ratio of the non-serving uplink channel is higher than the targetpower ratio of the non-serving uplink channel. A transmitter signals arate decrease command to the second UE according to the determinationmade by the comparator.

Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other exemplary objects, features and advantages ofcertain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be moreapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic principle of E-DCH transmission;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for typical E-DCHtransmission and reception;

FIG. 3 illustrates the uplink RoT of a cell in a typical SHO;

FIG. 4A illustrates cell states to which exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are applied;

FIG. 4B illustrates an overload indicator transmitting method accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating signaling from a Controlling RNC (CRNC)to a Node B according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the CRNC according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the Node B according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a target/realcomparator according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will beunderstood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The matters defined in the description such as a detailed constructionand elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding ofthe embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of theembodiments described herein can be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-knownfunctions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 4A illustrates cell states to which an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is applied. Reference numerals 411, 421, 431 and 441denote non-controllable RoTs. Reference numerals 412, 422, 432 and 442denote RoTs from scheduled E-DCHs received from primary UEs. Referencenumerals 413, 423, 433 and 443 denote RoTs from scheduled E-DCHsreceived from non-primary UEs. The Node B manages the E-DCHs separatelydepending on whether the E-DCHs are from the primary UEs or thenon-primary UEs. The E-DCHs of the primary UEs are serving E-DCHs forthe Node B and the E-DCHs of the non-primary UEs are non-serving E-DCHsfor the Node B.

Referring to FIG. 4A, reference character (a) denotes an overload-freestate of the cell. The total RoT, such as the total received power levelof the cell is the sum of the RoTs 411, 412 and 413. Because the sum islower than a target RoT representing a target received power level ofthe cell, the cell is free from overload. In this case, the RoT from theprimary UEs is at an appropriate ratio to the RoT from the non-primaryUEs.

Reference character (b) denotes a state in which overload is createdbecause legacy channels like DCHs are added in the state (a). That is,as the total RoT exceeds the target RoT, overload is created. The Node Bcan command a rate decrease to the primary UEs by an AG or an RG and tothe non-primary UEs by an overload indicator. According to the policiesof the Node B scheduler, a rate decrease can be commanded to the primaryUEs, the non-primary UEs, or both.

Reference character (c) denotes a state in which allocation of excessradio resources causes overload. If the Node B scheduler transmits anoverload indicator to the non-primary UEs, the non-primary UEs have tolower their data rates further, even though they do not greatly affectthe Node B. As a result, fairness may be violated between the primaryUEs and the non-primary UEs and resources are inefficiently used for thenon-primary UEs. Accordingly, it is preferable to decrease the datarates of the primary UEs.

Reference character (d) denotes a state in which overload occurs due tothe allocation of too many resources to the non-primary UEs. When theNode B scheduler transmits a rate decrease command to the primary UEs,the primary UEs have to transmit a very small amount of data. Theresulting rate imbalance between the primary UEs and the non-primary UEsleads to violation of efficient resource use. In this case, it ispreferable to command a rate decrease to the non-primary UEs.

In this context, an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionprovides a method of transmitting an overload indicator in order tomaintain a rate balance between the primary UEs and the non-primary UEsin the states (c) and (d).

FIG. 4B illustrates an overload indicator transmitting method accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a target RoT 491 (RoT_t) denotes a total RoTavailable for one cell. It is assumed herein that RoT_t=350. Referencenumeral 450 denotes a non-controllable RoT (RoT_NC) which is the sum ofan RoT from legacy channels such as DCHs and an RoT from noise.Reference numerals 451, 461, 471 and 481 denote power levels (RoT_PR) inuse for primary UEs, and reference numerals 452, 462, 472 and 482 denotepower levels (RoT_NPR) in use for non-primary UEs. Reference numerals453, 473 and 483 denote maximum RoT estimates (RoT_PR_est) available tothe primary UEs. RoT_PR_est is computed based on the current RoT, datarates, and buffer occupancies of the primary UEs. In order to set anoverload indicator to control RoT_NPR, a minimum relative primary RoT492 (RoT_PR_r) must be set first. RoT_PR_r is a minimum RoT to beallocated to the primary UEs. It is calculated by multiplying apredetermined ratio (PR_ratio_t) by (RoT_t-RoT_NC), that is, acontrollable RoT.

For example, the ratio of RoT_PR to RoT_NPR is 60:40 and PR_ratio_t=0.6.Then, RoT_PR_r is 150 by multiplying a controllable RoT 200 (=350-100)by 0.6.

In a state (b), RoT_PR 461 is higher than RoT_PR_r 492 and there is norequirement for transmitting an overload indicator. The Node B schedulerschedules the primary UEs by an RG and an AG to match to a target ratioof RoT_PR to RoT_NPR.

In states (a), (c), and (d), the current RoT_PR is lower than the targetRoT_PR_r 492.

In the state (a), RoT_PR_est 453 is higher than RoT_PR_r 492. Thus, theNode B decreases RoT_NPR 452 by transmitting an overload indicator tothe non-primary UEs. In the state (c), RoT_PR_est 473 is lower thanRoT_PR_r 492 but higher than RoT_PR 471. The Node B also decreases therates of the non-primary UEs by transmitting an overload indicator tothe non-primary UEs. On the other hand, in the state (d), bothRoT_PR_est 483 and RoT_PR_r 492 are lower than RoT_PR 481. Therefore,even though RoT_NPR 482 is high, there is no requirement fortransmitting an overload indicator. Now a description will be made of amethod of keeping an RoT_PR ratio and an RoT_NPR ratio constant bytransmitting an overload indicator in the cases (a) and (c).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating signaling from a Controlling RNC (CRNC)to a Node B according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a CRNC 510 signals a target RoT_PR ratio(hereinafter, referred to as a target PR ratio) and a target RoT_NPRratio (hereinafter, referred to as a target NPR ratio) to a Node B 520by a Node B Application Part (NBAP) message in step 550.

The NBAP message can be a CELL SETUP REQUEST message for an initial cellsetup, a CELL RECONFIGURATION REQUEST message for a cellreconfiguration, or one of RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST, RADIO LINK ADDITIONREQUEST, and RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION REQUEST messages for a radiolink configuration, addition or reconfiguration. A COMMON MEASUREMENTINITIATION REQUEST message for common measurement is also available asthe NBAP message. Alternatively, a new NBAP message, TARGET RATIOINDICATION can be defined.

Table 1 below illustrates “Choice Information on Target Ratio” includedin the NBAP message.

TABLE 1 As- IE/ IE Type signed Group Pres- and Semantics Criti- Criti-Name ence Range Reference Description cality cality Choice M Infor-mation on Target Ratio >Target 0 . . . 100 Integer Target RoT PR ratio(%) ratio for primary UEs against total controllable RoT. >Target 0 . .. 100 Integer Target RoT NPR ratio (%) ratio for non- primary UEsagainst total controllable RoT.

In Table 1, a Target PR ratio and a Target NPR ratio indicate target RoTratios (%) for primary UEs and non-primary UEs against a totalcontrollable RoT, respectively. The target ratio of RoT_PR to RoT_NPRcan be calculated using the Target PR ratio and the Target NPR ratio.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the CRNC according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the CRNC includes a PR/NPR ratio decider 610 and aPR/NPR ratio transmitter 620.

The PR/NPR ratio decider 610 decides on a target PR ratio or a targetNPR ratio to be included in an NBAP message, as illustrated in Table 1.These values can be set by a service provider over a long term. Forexample, if neighboring cells 1 and 2 cover a commercial area and aresidential area, respectively, more data is transmitted in cell 1during the day time than at night, and more data is transmitted in cell2 at night than during the day. Therefore, a target PR ratio for cell 1is set to 80% for day time and 20% for night, and a target PR ratio forcell 2 is set to 20% for day time and 80% for night.

The PR/NPR ratio transmitter 620 transmits one of the above-describedNBAP messages to the Node B. The transmitted NBAP messages include thetarget PR ratio or the target NPR ratio as illustrated in Table 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the Node B according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the Node B includes an RoT_PR/RoT_NPR decider 710,an RoT_PR estimator 720, a PR/NPR ratio receiver 730, a target/realratio comparator 740, an overload indicator transmitter 750, and anAG/RG transmitter 760.

The PR/NPR ratio receiver 730 acquires and stores a target PR ratio or atarget NPR ratio from an NBAP message received form the CRNC.

The RoT_PR/RoT_NPR decider 710 calculates RoT_PR (340 in FIG. 3) andRoT_NPR (350 in FIG. 3), a total RoT, and the RoT of legacy channels ina current cell.

The RoT_PR estimator 720 calculates an RoT estimate (RoT_PR_est) whichis a maximum RoT available to primary UEs, based on the amount of datacurrently received, the buffer occupancies of the primary UEs, and theRoT of the primary UEs.

The target/real ratio comparator 740 receives RoT_PR, RoT_NPR andRoT_PR_est. The target/real ratio comparator 740 calculates a realPR/NPR ratio in the cell, and determines whether overload has beencreated, whether to control RoT_NPR, and how to schedule in relation toRoT_PR. This determination is made using the real PR/NPR ratio,RoT_PR_est, and the target PR/NPR ratio. The overload creation can bedetermined by comparing the total RoT and the target RoT of the cell.

The overload indicator transmitter 750 and the AG/RG transmitter 760transmit scheduling signals to non-primary UEs and primary UEs accordingto the RoT control method determined by the target/real ratio comparator740.

The PR ratio and the NPR ratio are given byPR_ratio(%)=RoT_PR/RoT_controllable=RoT_PR/(RpT_PR+RoT_NPR)×100NPR_ratio(%)=RoT_NPR/RoT_controllable=RoT_NPR/(RpT_PR+RoT_NPR)×100  (2)

RoT_PR and RoT_NPR are denoted by 340 and 350 in FIG. 3. The PR_ratio iscalculated by dividing the current RoT_PR by the sum of RoT_PR andRoT_NPR, and NPR_ratio is calculated by dividing the current RoT_NPR bythe sum of RoT_PR and RoR_NPR.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the target/realcomparator 740 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the Node B compares the total RoT of the currentcell with a target RoT signaled by the RNC in step 810. If the total RoTis higher than the target RoT, the Node B proceeds to step 820,determining that overload is created.

In step 820, the Node B compares RoT_PR with RoT_PR_est. If RoT_PR ishigher than RoT_PR_est, the Node B schedules primary UE by an AG or anRG without setting an overload indicator in step 850.

If RoT_PR_est is equal to or higher than RoT_PR, the Node B comparesPR_ratio/NPR_ratio of the current cell with a target PR/NPR ratio(T_PR_ratio/T_NPR_ratio) acquired from an NBAP message received from theCRNC as illustrated in FIG. 5 in step 830. The PR_ratio and NPR_ratioare calculated by Eq. (2) and RoT_PR and RoT_NPR are calculated by theRoT PR/RoT_NPR decider 710 illustrated in FIG. 7.

If PR_ratio is equal to or higher than the target PR_ratio (T_PR_ratio)or if NPR_ratio is equal to or lower than the target NPR_ratio(T_NPR_ratio), the Node B decreases the data rates of the primary UEs tomatch the real ratio to the target ratio in step 850 and returns to step810. Alternatively, if the PR_ratio is lower than the T_PR_ratio or ifthe NPR_ratio is higher than the T_NPR_ratio, the Node B transmits anoverload indicator to the non-primary UEs, thereby decreasing their datarates in step 840.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,when the total RoT of a cell exceeds a target RoT signaled by an RNC,causing overload, a Node B controls the signal strengths of signals fromprimary UEs and non-primary UEs at predetermined ratios. Therefore,uplink rates are equally allocated between the primary UEs and thenon-primary UEs.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method of managing radio resources between a serving uplink channelfrom first user equipments (UEs) for which a Node B is a serving Node Band a non-serving uplink channel from second UE for which the Node B isa non-serving Node B in a mobile communication system for transmittingpacket data on an enhanced uplink, comprising: receiving from a radionetwork controller (RNC) by the Node B a target total power level and atarget power ratio of a power level of the non-serving uplink channeland a total power level on the enhanced uplink; comparing the targettotal power level with a current total power level by the Node B;comparing the target power ratio with a current power ratio by the NodeB; and transmitting information representative of decreasing data rateof the non-serving uplink channel to the second UE, if the current powerratio is higher than the target power ratio and the current total powerlevel is higher than the target total power level by the Node B.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises the receiving of thetarget power ratio in a Node B application part (NBAP) message from theRNC.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: scheduling theserving uplink channel of the first UEs by the Node B, if the currentpower ratio of the non-serving uplink channel is at least one of equalto and lower than the target power ratio of the non-serving uplinkchannel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the commanding of the firstUEs comprises the signaling of a data rate for the serving uplinkchannel by at least one of an absolute grant and a relative grant.
 5. Amethod of managing radio resources between a serving uplink channel fromfirst user equipments (UEs) for which a Node B is a serving Node B and anon-serving uplink channel from second UEs for which the Node B is anon-serving Node B in a mobile communication system for transmittingpacket data on an enhanced uplink, comprising: setting a target totalpower level by a radio network controller (RNC); setting a target powerratio for a power level of the non-serving uplink channel and a targettotal power level on the enhanced uplink by the RNC: and signaling thetarget total power level and the target power ratio to the Node B by theRNC, for use in controlling a data rate of the non-serving uplinkchannel for the second UEs.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: receiving the target total power level and the target powerratio of the non-serving uplink channel from the RNC by the Node B;comparing the target total power level with a current total power levelby the Node B; comparing the target power ratio with a current powerratio by the Node B; and transmitting information representative ofdecreasing data rate to the second UE, if the current power ratio ishigher than the target power ratio and the current total power level ishigher than the target total power level by the Node B.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the signaling comprises signaling the target powerratio to the Node B in a Node B application part (NBAP) message.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising scheduling the serving uplinkchannel of the first UEs by the Node B, if the current power ratio ofthe non-serving uplink channel is at least one of equal to and lowerthan the target power ratio of the non-serving uplink channel.
 9. Themethod of claim 6, wherein commanding the first UEs comprises signalinga data rate for the serving uplink channel by at least one of anabsolute grant and a relative grant.
 10. A Node B apparatus for managingradio resources between a serving uplink channel from first userequipments (UEs) for which a Node B is a serving Node B and anon-serving uplink channel from second UEs for which the Node B is anon-serving Node B in a mobile communication system for transmittingpacket data on an enhanced uplink, comprising: a receiver for receivingfrom a radio network controller (RNC) by the Node B a target total powerlevel and a target power ratio of a power level of the non-servinguplink channel and a total power level on the enhanced uplink; a deciderfor determining information representative of decreasing data rate ofthe non-serving uplink channel to the second UE, if a current totalpower level is higher than the target total power level and the currentpower ratio is higher than the target power ratio; and a transmitter fortransmitting information representative of decreasing data rate of thenon-serving uplink channel to the second UE according to thedetermination of the decider.
 11. The Node B apparatus of claim 10,wherein the decider outputs a signal for scheduling the serving uplinkchannel of the first UEs, if the current power ratio of the non-servinguplink channel is at least one of equal to and lower than the targetpower ratio of the non-serving uplink channel.
 12. The Node B apparatusof claim 11, further comprising: scheduling of the serving uplinkchannel of the first UEs is performed by at least one of an absolutegrant and a relative grant.
 13. The Node B apparatus of claim 10,further comprising an estimator for estimating the current total powerlevel and the current power ratio.
 14. The Node B apparatus of claim 10,wherein the receiver receives the target power ratio in a Node Bapplication part (NBAP) message from the RNC.